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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Kurt Muth, P.E., Assistant Director of Public Works
DATE: January 26, 2026
SUBJECT:
A resolution to award the 36" Southeast Transmission Water Main Repair project, located in Ward 1, to Vortex Infrastructure Services, Inc., in the contract amount of $558,470.00.
PURPOSE:
In December, a leak (currently manageable) was found on the 36" transmission water main south of the railroad tracks West of the N Ohio Street bridge near the northeast corner of Solfisburg Park (see attached location map - Exhibit A). This large diameter water main pushes a significant volume of water to serve the eastern outskirts of the distribution system. With the active loss of water, potential for the leak to worsen and the role of the pipe in the water distribution system, it is critical to approve this contract and move forward with the repair process.
BACKGROUND:
The water surfacing from the leak can be seen just south of the railroad tracks and with the pipe crossing the tracks in a casing pipe, it was feared that the leak was actually under the railroad tracks. Lining the water main was determined to be the simplest and most cost-effective repair solution which would eliminate the need to disturb the railroad tracks. With the severity of the leak, size of the pipe, complexity of the location and urgency for repair, six water main lining contractors were contacted to provide input and to request a proposal. In the meantime, the City had two acoustic leak detection companies confirm the leak is coming from the portion of the water main in the casing pipe under the tracks and one of the reports is attached as Exhibit B. After a contract is established and the inside diameter of the pipe is confirmed, it will likely take approximately 4 weeks to manufacture the liner and transport it to the site for preparation and installation.
The engineering division received pricing from two lining contractors consulted because it was found that only 3 of t...
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